King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Rather, you are to set him apart as holy, because he offers the bread of your God; he is to be holy for you, because I, ADONAI, who makes you holy, am holy.
Berean Standard Bible:
You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee; for I Jehovah, who sanctify you, am holy.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt sanctify{H6942} him therefore; for he offereth{H7126} the bread{H3899} of thy God{H430}: he shall be holy{H6918} unto thee: for I the LORD{H3068}, which sanctify{H6942} you, am holy{H6918}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 20:7
- Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the LORD your God.
Leviticus 20:8
- And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you.
Leviticus 11:44
- For I [am] the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I [am] holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Leviticus 11:45
- For I [am] the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I [am] holy.
Leviticus 19:2
- Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.
Leviticus 21:6
- They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, [and] the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
John 17:19
- And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
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Commentary for Leviticus 21:8
Leviticus 21:8 is a part of the Holiness Code in the Book of Leviticus, which provides instructions for the Israelite priesthood, particularly the sons of Aaron, who served as high priests. The verse emphasizes the sanctity of the priest who offers the bread of God, which refers to the grain offerings presented in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The priest is to be treated with reverence because he handles sacred elements and performs holy duties.
In its historical context, this verse reflects the importance of ritual purity and the distinction between the sacred and the profane in ancient Israelite society. The priest's role was not only to offer sacrifices but also to represent the people before God, making his holiness essential. By being holy, the priest could mediate effectively between God and the people.
The theme of holiness is central to this verse and to the Book of Leviticus as a whole. The command to sanctify the priest underscores the idea that those who serve God must be set apart and consecrated, reflecting the holiness of God Himself. The repeated emphasis on the Lord's own holiness ("I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy") serves as the foundation for the requirement of the priest's holiness. It also serves as a reminder to the Israelites that their sanctification comes from God, who is the source of all holiness. This concept of divine sanctification extends beyond the priesthood, applying to the entire community of Israel, who are called to be a holy nation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6942
There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדַשׁ
Transliteration: qâdash
Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. - Strong's Number: H7126
There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרַב
Transliteration: qârab
Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. - Strong's Number: H3899
There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶחֶם
Transliteration: lechem
Pronunciation: lekh'-em
Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H6918
There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדוֹשׁ
Transliteration: qâdôwsh
Pronunciation: kaw-doshe'
Description: or קָדֹשׁ; from קָדַשׁ; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary; holy (One), saint. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.